10 Halloween facts

1. Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts. 2. The largest pumpkin ever recorded weighed over 2,600 pounds! 3. The word "witch" comes from the Old English word "wicce," which means "wise woman." 4. Black cats are often associated with bad luck, but in many cultures, they are considered good luck and bring prosperity. 5. The tradition of trick-or-treating dates back to the Middle Ages when poor people would go door-to-door on All Souls' Day, asking for food in exchange for prayers for the dead. 6. The fear of Halloween is called Samhainophobia. 7. The Jack-o'-lantern tradition originated from an Irish myth about a man named Stingy Jack, who tricked the Devil and was forced to roam the Earth with only a carved turnip to light his way. 8. The first known mention of trick-or-treating in North America occurred in 1911 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 9. Halloween is the second-highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas. 10. The world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as witches was set in 2013 in Mexico City, with 1,607 participants.